Questions for white people

[Questionspandemic]

Why are white people offended by black people talking about racism?

Obviously not all white people are racist and name changed - in case of gaslighting.

@EDSGFC

Genevieva

I really agree - I think poverty is the greatest injustice in the UK and the greatest cause of all disadvantages, regardless of ethnicity.

Yes, seems so obvious, doesn't it?

Can those use the term BAME (which I really dislike btw, I feel that its grouping people together that look completely different and that have origins in completely different places together as one) and it feels like some are using it as the description of a race. If you know where the person is from originally, do use that instead of BAME, remember when you are talking about an individual BAME is an acronym.

BAME people are a small percentage of the total population of the UK. It is very unlikely that every part of the UK will have people from this group living there isn't it? Unless there's one family in every town and village in the UK? In London 60% of the population are white and I'd imagine other major cities are similar so it stands to reason that other areas of the UK will be completely white.

It does sometimes fee like people don't realise the real numbers. UK is 80% white British (that doesn't include white other). There is about 3% of people who identify as black. That's about 2 million out of 66 million. Some areas have more, some less, some probably none. The problem comes when people think it is the same everywhere. For example hiring. If you are big company but have offices in let's say in Barnsley, you will have MASSIVE problems hiring bame because of demographics. But same company in Birmingham wouldn't. People forget to take these things into an account imho when talking about representation in companies and other things. I've seen diversity in schools discussed in a same way. Again. It depends on a place.

[quote SharonasCorona]@Aloethere ah your second post makes everything clear. Sorry I didn't clock before.[/quote]
How do you mean? I live in a small town in Ireland. There is hardly anyone that isn't white but at least 5-10% of the population are travellers. Have you never been to Ireland before? A house was burnt down about 20miles from here the other day because travellers were going to move in, racism towards travellers is a massive issue here in Ireland, that is obviously why I come across more of that type of racism .

Or maybe you do live here and that's why everything is clear now?

Why do you think BAME people AREN’T in every area? Why do you think there are concentrations in some areas? After all if there wasn’t a reason for people to huddle in this way there’d be no logic to your observation

Because people like to stick with what and who they know. There are always communities. You "huddle" together with the familiar. There are areas where there are more polish, there are areas where there are more Indians etc. Everywhere in the world, people stick closer to the familiar.

@Aloethere your post was very revealing. That’s all.

It's natural for ethnicities to group together- they share a common language, a shared history, a shared culture etc. People feel comfortable with those they are familiar with and those who they are similar to. It's not really much to do with racism.

@FreekStar and yet I bet you also think immigrants refuse to integrate in to British society and live in ghettos. Different rules for different people I bet.

It's not really It's natural for ethnicities to group together- they share a common language, a shared history, a shared culture etc. People feel comfortable with those they are familiar with and those who they are similar to. It's not really much to do with racism.

But it is though. Because this attitude manifest itself to other areas of life / so when employers interview they start feeling more 'comfortable or familiar' with the white candidates if they're white etc

This is why systemic racism exists and is so problematic because racism gets hidden behind 'familiarity' which is BS.

Because people like to stick with what and who they know. There are always communities. You "huddle" together with the familiar. Why do you think that is?

[quote SharonasCorona]@Aloethere your post was very revealing. That’s all.[/quote]
Why won't you expand on that? One minute you are all apologies and the next you are speaking in riddles?!

By law here in Ireland travellers are a protected ethnic group, by law they are protected from racism. Due to the makeup of the population in my town(and the fact a lot of my neighbours are travellers), I am far more likely to see racism against travellers than anybody else. Am I not supposed to use the definition of racism that our Equality Act provides, is there some mumsnet code I am missing? I really do not see what is revealing about this but you are playing your cards close to your chest so

@Itisbetter

Because people like to stick with what and who they know. There are always communities. You "huddle" together with the familiar. Why do you think that is?

Imho mainly comfort zone. People have different comfort zones. For someone it's to be with familiar people, especially when they just immigrated. The familiar helps with homesick. For the ones born here. Well many grew up in it because the first family members to arrive often joined the community.

It doesn't apply to all people though, obviously. I wouldn't dare to say that. I too am not part of community of people from my country. I do however, still shop in their shops😁 Some food can't be substituted😁

I think they stay in their groups because it’s easier not to be subjected to racism, minor and major

It’s discrimination though, not racism.

It could be discriminating against sex, sexuality, class, race, whether you’re from Liverpool or London, Protestant/catholic,

People encounter so many different kinds of discrimination and white people encounter it too. So when white people are told, well your experience of being discriminated against is not as bad as mine, because I am BAME and you are not, and you’ve no idea what discrimination feel like. How do you think that makes people feel? What about the poor white girls of Rotherham? Literally no one was giving them a voice because they happened to be white and it didn’t fit into the narrative.

@Itisbetter

I think they stay in their groups because it’s easier not to be subjected to racism, minor and major

Are you non british?

Are you non british?.

What on Earth does my nationality have to do with anything?

I think it’s partly guilt. It’s also that you cannot change the past. All we can do now is try to change what happens in the future.

I don't know what's funny there tbh. I am just curious because it's always interesting to hear people's experiences. That's why I asked. I assume you are not white british (oh I just got it🤦sorry, question should have been are you not white british. My bad for missing the word. Not used to keep putting colour in my sentences...) and talk from experience of why people "huddle" with familiar. I would like to hear it

I'm white and I am absolutely not offended by black people talking about racism. All racism should be called out.

@SchrodingersImmigrant no I was laughing because it seems ridiculous to be probed on my nationality and/or colour on MN in 2020. What possible bearing on anything here could that have?

[quote Itisbetter]@SchrodingersImmigrant no I was laughing because it seems ridiculous to be probed on my nationality and/or colour on MN in 2020. What possible bearing on anything here could that have?[/quote]
Different experience and would explain why you are sure that people huddle together to not be subjected to racism rather than it being mainly about sticking to familiar. The latter being is my experience. So I was curious.

And I didn't probe. I simply asked🤷🏻

[quote Itisbetter]@SchrodingersImmigrant no I was laughing because it seems ridiculous to be probed on my nationality and/or colour on MN in 2020. What possible bearing on anything here could that have?[/quote]
I take it you haven't been reading the 'race' threads lately?

It seems to have become quite the norm for posters to ask each other if they're black, white or mixed.